Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Obligatory Back to School Post

I just put the last one on the bus.

Ever see a middle-aged fat chick do a cartwheel?

It's not that I don't like having them around. I do. I really like my kids. If anyone had told me this years ago I wouldn't have believed them, but I like them even more the older they get.

My kids are cool.

They're cool little individuals who I'm pretty sure I would like even if they weren't my kids.

They aren't me - although both of them have some aspects of me.

They aren't Tom - although both of them have some aspects of Tom.

They are themselves. They are completely self-actualized. They are awesome.

But...

But I love the thought of being able to get back into some sort of routine. The summer was great. We had a great summer. But there was no routine at all. It's hard to establish one when you're traveling, and when we were home I spent a lot of time getting them from where they were to where they wanted to be. And that's ok - that's right - that's as it should be.

But now Momma can get her routine back.

The house will be cleaner (stop laughing, it will).

My life will be more organized.

THEIR lives will be more organized.

I will go out for coffee more.

I will read more.

I will do my errands all by myself - which isn't as much fun, but it's a lot faster.

It will be boring.

It will be mundane.

And I am looking forward to it.

So...

The hot breakfasts of choice have been served (toaster waffles for Lea; scrambled pancakes for Liv)

The new outfits have been donned (cute, bright and on trend for Lea; dark, black and rockin' for Liv)

The school supplies have been purchased.

The paperwork is (mostly) done.

I'm off to have coffee with my bud. We've neglected this routine far too long.

I may buy a book.

Then I'm going to the yarn shop.

Mommatime!

30 comments:

Debbie said...

Good for you, Tammy! Although I love having mine home with me, the routine is a pleasant change as well.

Liz Mays said...

It sounds absolutely perfect! And I don't think it would be an awful thing if you took this entire week to just enjoy yourself! Maybe next week, you could do some cleaning.

Unknown said...

I could have written 90% of this post(no yarn shop). I feel nearly exactly the same way(those 2 teens some days are like aliens and I don't know who spawned them), I love my kids and love being with them, but I love being alone and doing my own thing too. I love coffee and books and solitude and on some days my house is cleaner!
Enjoy and soak up every minute!

Mama-Face said...

YAY. I always have great plans for my freedom and manage to still get nothing done. But at least it's quiet.

It's so true about liking your children more as they grow up; I love just chatting it up with my older kids. But when they are home to visit and think they have no curfew, well that's tough for me. ha.

ANY excuse to buy a book is good for me. :)

Crazee Juls said...

Oh girl. This sounds just like my monday last week... :) Wish I could grab coffee with you and hang out. And, my house has stayed cleaner! Woo hoo. Enjoy your momma time!!

Badass Geek said...

I imagine my mother reacted in a similar fashion when my sisters and I went off to school... and I don't blame her one bit.

Becky said...

You have taken the words right outta my mouth:)

Love my kids...ready for routine!

Stephanie said...

Mommy time is great, and my girls love school. I think I better take a page from your book and organize some more coffee dates. Sounds perfect!

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

The line about the cartwheel had me choking on my coffee. I am happy to send mine off as well! I totally agree with you...

What the heck is a scrambled pancake?

Macey said...

What's a scrambled pancake??
Sounds like you're gonna have tons of fun with your mommatime! Good for you! : )

M.E. Greene said...

More coffee, more reading, more organization... sounds delish! ;)

Unknown said...

I saw your comment on SITS and stopped by to see the pic of you doing a cartwheel! :( No photo?

Have a great school year! lol

Pam said...

Yup! It's really is the "most wonderful time of the year".

Sassy Chica said...

MommyTime is FABULOUS! I too luv my kids and I also love when they are away at school being productive! It's a win/win!!!

Smooches,
Sassy Chica

Anonymous said...

Sounds great! And I bet your kiddos are happy to be back in school too.

Gibby said...

I have just one word...

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Housewife Savant said...

You even rock the routine.

I like my kids too.
And I like back to school.

Do middle-aged fat chicks pee a little when they do a cartwheel?
Jus' wondering.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to join the ranks! I've been homeschooling so for the first time in fourteen years I will actually have kids out of the house for most of the day. I love the girls with all my heart...but to be able to clean one thing without someone making a mess right behind me seems like heaven! (Well, no, there are definitely other things more heavenly, but that's just how much I'm looking forward to clean something and have it stay clean for more than five minutes.)

Carma Sez said...

Doesn't sound like much actual cleaning has transpired thus far ;-)

AiringMyLaundry said...

Yes, it is much quieter now that my son is back at school. I do have my daughter with me though but at least I don't have neighborhood kids knocking on my door throughout the day.

Lynn said...

Hi, Tammy! I have seen your comments all around the bloggy planet and every time I thought of my friend from elementary school and on through hs.
She is Sammye Howard and all of the trouble I ever got into when young (50 years ago) I got into with Sammye! We had so much fun!

ANyway, I visited your blog for about the past hour and I'd like to hang with you. Since it's not possible, I have just added my name to your follow list

P S
Good choice--pro dentists. definitely!

Sandy said...

So when can I expect you for coffee!?

Anonymous said...

That sounds heavenly!!

BONNIE K said...

My kids are college age, but I used to love back-to-school time. I still love watching the kids walking to school and the busses going past on the first day of school. It's just a time of new beginnings.

Hit 40 said...

Enjoy your free time!! I am very happy for you.

I have a different spring break in my school district than my boys... so I will get a week of freedom in the spring. Nice!!

Claudya Martinez said...

Scrambled pancakes, as opposed to over easy?

Enjoy your time.

Brandy said...

I'm wondering too - what is a scrambled pancake?

I hope that you enjoy your "free" time. I always have good intentions of doing so much while the boys are out of the house but that goes to hell in a handbasket quicker than I can grab the tv remote. Ha!

scrappysue said...

i remember the feeling - and it's a good one!

Kathy B! said...

It's such a bittersweet time. I anticipate it and then I turn right around and miss them.

And what in the heckity-heck are scrambled pancakes?!

Anonymous said...

I am so jealous.

I feel exactly the same way about my kids, but we still have two weeks before school starts.

(I need to learn how to do a cartwheel. Am I too old?)